Strap welding system and method

ABSTRACT

Bale strap assemblies for strapping a pressed bale are discussed herein. The bale strap assemblies may include a strap positioning assembly having a plurality of strap assemblies and a return chute assembly having a plurality of return chutes for returning straps to the strap assemblies for strapping the pressed bale. The strap position assembly and return chute assembly incorporate cylinder means to move between different positions during a strapping cycle. Exemplary embodiments include provisions for accommodating a press turntable of a down packer and registration means for providing a greater number of straps to strap a bale than a corresponding number of strap assemblies.

BACKGROUND

In the cotton industry, the process of strapping a bale has beengenerally transitioned from using humans to manually tie bales to usingautomated machines to automatically strap bales. In the cotton or fiberindustry, there are generally three ways in which to secure a bale afterthe bale has been pressed. Pertinent securing means include pre-formedsteel wires having interlocking ends, flat ribbon-steel bands havingtheir ends inserted into a crimp, and flat thermoplastic strappingmaterial.

Pre-formed steel wires may be tied by pivotally mounted wire bendassemblies which take the place of workers on each side of the balingpress, and bend the tie wires around a bale by inserting the ends of thetie wires into a wire tie guide assembly. However, workers are stillrequired to individually load each of a plurality of tie wires into thewire bend assemblies.

Bale tying using flat steel straps is hindered primarily by the cost ofthe strapping material, the complexity of the machinery used, and thespeed at which the machinery is able to operate. In addition, the sheerweight of the steel strap tie material and its substantially sharp edgesmakes the material cumbersome and dangerous to handle.

Conversely, plastic or other non-ferrous material is ideal for strappingbales of cotton or other fibers. Plastic is relatively lightweight, canbe formed into a variety of widths and thicknesses and has relativelysoft edges, allowing for easy handling and lower shipping costs. Plasticor other non-ferrous strapping material is competitive with wire ties ona cost per bale basis, and is easily adaptable to fully automatic tyingmachinery. Additionally, plastic or other non-ferrous strapping materialis readily recyclable by the end user and is considered substantiallysafer than steel strapping material, particularly in instances of strapbreakage.

Generally, automatic bale strapping device are categorized asup-packers, wherein baling chambers reside underneath the bale strappingdevice, often under the floor or ground, and down-packers, whereinbaling chambers are located above the bale strapping device.

Down-packer-type presses are generally less expensive to purchase andinstall as much, if not all, of the work is done above ground. However,a down-packer-type press tends to give up some performance advantages,namely, cycle time or bales-per-hour. The invention herein speeds thestrapping portion of the cycle, thereby shortening the overall cycletime and allowing more bales-per-hour to be processed.

SUMMARY

A combination strap assembly and baling press is provided comprising abase plate for pressing pressable materials against, said base platedefining a plane, a strap positioning assembly comprising a plurality ofstrap assemblies for providing straps around the pressable materials, areturn chute assembly comprising a plurality of return chutes forredirecting straps supplied by the plurality of strap assemblies and astructure comprising a moveable arm for moving the plurality of strapassemblies from a position substantially below the plane defined by thebase plate to a position above, at least in part, the plane. Thecombination strap assembly and baling press may include a shock absorbercomprising a resilient stop member such as a spring for cushioning thestrap positioning assembly as the strap position assembly contacts thebailing press.

In one exemplary embodiment, the combination strap assembly and balingpress further comprising a pair of pneumatic cylinders each comprising apush rod for moving the moveable arm, and the two push rods of the pairof pneumatic cylinders may be mechanically coupled to one another. Anindexing pneumatic cylinder comprising a push rod may be located on thestrap positioning assembly, wherein the push rod of the indexingpneumatic cylinder is orientated to move in a direction generallyorthogonal to the two push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders.Additionally, an indexing pneumatic cylinder may be in communicationwith the return chute assembly for traversing the return chute assemblyalong the track.

The combination strap assembly and baling press may further comprise abale conveyor assembly for moving a strapped bale from the baling press.The bale conveyor assembly may comprise two spaced apart rails.

In another exemplary embodiment, a combination strap assembly and balingpress is provided comprising a base plate rotatably mounted below twobaling chambers, said base plate defining a plane, a strap positioningassembly comprising a plurality of strap assemblies for providing strapsaround a pressed bale, a return chute assembly comprising a plurality ofreturn chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the strap assemblies.The strap positioning assembly and the return chute assembly may bepositioned below the plane defined by the base plate so that the baseplate may rotate over the strap positioning assembly and the returnchute assembly.

The strap positioning assembly may further comprise at least oneregister tube and at least one positioning rail, wherein the at leastone register tube is coaxial with and adapted to slide telescopicallywith respect to the at least one positioning rail.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes astrap assembly mountable on a baling press having a base plate defininga plane, the strap assembly comprising a strap positioning assemblyhaving a plurality of strap assemblies for providing straps around thepressable materials, a return chute assembly having a plurality ofreturn chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the plurality of strapassemblies, at least two pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rodin communication with each other for moving the plurality of strapassemblies about a pivot point, and wherein the two push rods arecoaxial.

Also provided is a method for strapping compressible material comprisingcompressing a plurality of compressible materials against a plate, saidplate defining a plane, exposing the compressed materials for strapping,raising a plurality of strap assemblies from a position below the planedefined by the plate, providing a plurality of straps around thecompressed materials to strap the compressed materials, and lowering theplurality of strap assemblies to the position below the plane defined bythe plate.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method forstrapping compressible material comprising the steps compressing aplurality of compressible materials between a lower plate assembly andan upper plate assembly, said lower plate assembly defining a plane,exposing the compressed materials for strapping, raising a framecomprising a plurality of strap assemblies from a position below theplane defined by the lower plate assembly and contacting the frameagainst the upper plate assembly, providing a plurality of straps aroundthe compressed materials to strap the compressed material, and loweringthe plurality of strap assemblies to the position below the planedefined by the lower plate assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary load side of a balestrapping device of the present invention with a strap positioningassembly in a stowed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the load side of the bale strappingdevice of FIG. 1 with a strap positioning assembly in an intermediateposition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the load side of the bale strappingdevice of FIG. 1 with a strap positioning assembly in an intermediateposition and a baling chamber exposing a strapped bale;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the load side of the bale strapping assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the load side of the bale strapping assembly ofFIG. 1 with the strap positioning assembly in an intermediate position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the load side of the bale strapping assembly ofFIG. 1 with the strap positioning assembly in a used position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a receiving side of an exemplary balestrapping assembly of the present invention wherein a return chuteassembly is in a used position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the receiving side of the bale strappingassembly of FIG. 7 wherein the return chute assembly is in anintermediate position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the receiving side of the bale strappingassembly of FIG. 7 wherein the return chute assembly is in a stowedposition and moved away from a strapped bale in a baling chamber;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the receiving side of the balestrapping assembly of FIG. 8 absent a bale in the baling chamber;

FIG. 11 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a return chuteassembly adapted for used with a bale conveyor;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the return chute assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a receiving side of a bale strappingdevice including a bale conveyor;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the receiving side of the balestrapping device of FIG. 13 with a return chute assembly in a stowedposition; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the receiving side of the balestrapping device of FIG. 14 with a bale being transported by the baleconveyor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a load side of anexemplary embodiment of a strap feeding, retracting, and welding device10 mounted on a down-packer type cotton baling press 12 is shown. As iswell known in the art, a typical down-packer type baling press 12comprises a first baling chamber 14 and a second baling chamber 16mounted on a turntable base plate 18. The two baling chambers aretypically constructed from a steel reinforced frame having a rectangularshape box for forming part of the periphery of a compressed bale.Generally, fiber, such as cotton, cotton lint and/or synthetic fiber, tobe pressed is loaded into the first baling chamber 14. Simultaneously,while the fiber is loaded in the first baling chamber 14, a bale isbeing pressed in the second baling chamber 16 and is then strapped usinga bale strapping device 10 to secure the bale for transportation, asdescribed in more detail below. After the bale located in the secondbaling chamber 16 has been strapped and transported from the balingpress 12, the turntable base plate 18 rotates so that the loaded fiberin the first baling chamber 14 is pressed into a bale and strapped usingthe bale strapping device 10 while cotton lint or fiber is loaded intothe second baling chamber 16. The double baling chamber system providesa more efficient and faster baling process than using a single chamberbecause the processes of loading the fiber for baling takes close to thesame amount of time as pressing it to a bale and strapping it.

As described in more detail below, the bale strapping device 10 of thepresent invention allows strapping material to be fed around a balethrough lower and upper guide channels 20, 22 (FIG. 3). and the returnchutes 138, 140, 142 (FIG. 7).

With further reference to FIG. 1, the automatic bale strapping device 10may be mounted to the baling press 12. For clarity of illustration, thebaling press 12 is shown in simplified view. As described in more detailbelow, the automatic bale strapping device 10 is useful for attaching aplurality of straps around a bale 25 (FIG. 3) after the bale has beenformed in the baling chamber 16. Although in one exemplary embodimentthe automatic baling system 10 is adapted to simultaneously attach threestraps around one bale, then indexing to a second position to applythree more straps, thus the bale would be strapped with six totalstraps, the baling system may be adapted to tie additional or fewernumber of straps circumferentially around the outside surface of thebale, such as tying six straps simultaneously around the bale.Additionally, although the automatic bale strapping device 10 isdescribed with particular reference to a cotton or fiber balingoperation, the baling system may be adapted for baling other suitablematerials as well. For example, crushed card board boxes and usedclothing may be pressed and strapped in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

The automatic bale strapping device 10 may include two separateassemblies which operate together to automatically position and join aplurality of thermoplastic straps around a bale, namely a strappositioning assembly 28 (FIGS. 1-6) and a return chute assembly 30 (FIG.7). The strap positioning assembly 28 and the return chute assembly 30may be mounted on opposing sides of a press base 26 of the baling press12 to automatically strap a pressed bale, as further discussed below.The strap positioning assembly 28 (FIGS. 1-6) may be mounted on a loadside (FIG. 1) of the baling press 12 while the return chute assembly maybe mounted on a receiving side (FIG. 7) of the baling press. The term“load side” connotes a side of the bale strapping device 10 that loadsthe straps for strapping a pressed bale while the term “receiving side”connotes a side of the bale strapping device 10 that receives the strapsand returns the straps so that the two ends of each strap meet at therespective strap assembly for welding. Additional disclosures on balestrapping devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,484,518; 5,673,614;and 6,536,336, the contents of each of which are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the turntable base plate 18 of the balingpress 12 is rotatable around a rotational column 31, which issubstantially centrally disposed between the first and second balingchambers 14, 16. The baling press 12 may further include a lower plateassembly 32 located on the turntable base plate 18 and having aplurality of elongated slotted lower guide channels 20 defined bybarriers 44. Similarly, the baling press 12 may include an upper plateassembly 34 attached to a press ram (not shown) having a plurality ofelongated slotted upper guide channels 22 defined by upper barriers 44.The upper guide channels 20 are aligned with the lower guide channels 20and are open-ended and extend between the load side and the receivingside of the baling press 12. When loaded into each of the three weldhead assemblies or strap assemblies 98 of the automatic bale strappingdevice 10, the straps are directed from the strap positioning assembly28 (FIG. 1) to the return chute assembly 30 and back towards the strappositioning assembly through the upper and lower guide channels 20, 22.The straps exit the channels through the corresponding slots 36 duringthe bale strapping operation so that the strapped bale may be removedfrom the baling press 12.

The lower and upper plate assemblies 32, 34 may include a plurality ofplates 38 coupled to adjacently spaced barriers 44. The plates 38 areconfigured to be slightly wider than the guide channels 20, 22. Siderails 46 (FIG. 10) aligned along each longitudinal side of the plates 38and protruding toward the bale serve to extenuate the slots 36 createdbetween the plates and through which the straps will pass to contact thebale. Additionally, headboards 48 aligned along each lateral side of theplates 38 and protruding toward the bale serve to maintain the bale outof the strap feeding area while being loaded and pressed. An ejectionlever 33 may be located on the lower plate assembly 32 for ejecting astrapped bale 25 from the baling chamber.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the strap positioning assembly 28 is attachedto the press base 26 by a mounting assembly 50. The mounting assembly 50includes a mounting base 52 having a plurality of legs 54 spacing themounting base from the press base 28, if needed. When incorporated, thelegs 54 act as spacers for the strap positioning assembly 28 so that itmay be spaced apart from the turntable base plate 18 by a sufficient gapfor welding and strapping purposes (FIG. 6).

The strap positioning assembly 28 will now be described in more detail.Since the strap positioning assembly 28 has a substantially identicalrotating structure on either side of the plurality of weld head or strapassemblies 98, for clarity only one side of the strap positioningassembly will be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a primary bracket 56 is mounted on themounting base 52 to support the strap positioning assembly 28, which inthe present embodiment includes three weld head assemblies 98. However,four, six, eight, or any number of weld head assemblies andcorresponding number of return chutes may be incorporated withoutdeviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In oneexemplary embodiment, the primary bracket 56 is substantially L-shaped,and may be located adjacent a lateral edge of the mounting base 52.However, the specific location of the primary bracket 56, and moregenerally, the location of the strap positioning assembly 28 is notcritical as long as the strap positioning assembly is able toappropriately strap a bale in the baling chamber. The primary bracket 56may be adapted to receive a first pivot pin 60 which allows the strappositioning assembly to be rotatably mounted thereto. A secondarybracket 58 may be aligned with and spaced apart from the primary bracket56. The secondary bracket 58 is adapted to receive a second pivot pin74. A support rod 61 may extend between secondary brackets 58 on eachside of the strap positioning assembly 28 to provide torsional supportwhen the strap positioning assembly moves between a stowed position anda used position, as described in more detail below.

A rotation structure 72 of the strap positioning assembly 28 includes afirst pneumatic cylinder 62 rotatably attached to the primary bracket 56by the first pivot pin 60. A push rod 66 in each of the first pneumaticcylinder 62 and second pneumatic cylinder 64 are coupled together at aninterface. The two push rods 66, when the cylinders 62, 64 are actuated,are configured to maintain a spaced apart connection between the firstand second pneumatic cylinders as the strap positioning assembly movesbetween a stowed position and a used position, as described in moredetail below. In one exemplary embodiment, the cylinders each has a fourinch aluminum bore with a one inch diameter steel rod. The cylinder 64furthest away from the primary bracket 56 has a nine-and-a-half inchstroke (which may be the same for the cylinder 126 on the return chuteassembly 30 (FIG. 7)) while the cylinder 62 closest to the primarybracket 56 has a four inch stroke (which may be the same for thecylinder 124 on the return chute assembly 30). However, the relativedimensions, models, and types may vary without deviating from the spiritand scope of the present invention provided they are appropriately sizedto perform the necessary movements to permit the welding device 10 tofeed, retract, and weld straps.

The second pneumatic cylinder 64 may be attached to a support arm 68 bya bolt 70 or other fastening means. The support arm 68 may extendbetween the second pneumatic cylinder 64 and the mounting base 52 andmay be rotatably mounted to a secondary bracket 58 on the mounting baseby the second pivot pin 74. In one exemplary embodiment as shown, forexample, in FIG. 6, the support arm 68 may have a concave or shapedcontour section 76 to prevent the support arm from contacting theturntable base plate 18 when the strap positioning assembly 28 is in theused position, as described in more detail below.

As noted above, the strap positioning assembly 28 has a substantiallyidentical rotation structure 72 for rotating the strap positioningassembly from a stowed position to a strapping or used position locatedon either side of the plurality of weld head assemblies 98. Accordingly,upper and lower positioning rails 78, 80 extend laterally betweensupport arms 68 on each side of the strap positioning assembly 28 asshown in FIG. 1. The support arms 68 include a recessed rail housing 82adapted to receive the upper positioning rail 78, which is attached tothe support arms by a bolt 84, or optionally by other fastening means.Additionally, the support arms 68 include holes adapted to receive abolt to attach the lower positioning rail 80 to the support arms.

A strap assembly frame 88 may extend between the upper and lowerpositioning rails 78, 80 to support at least one strap assembly 98. Inone exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the strap positioningassembly 28 includes three strap assembly frames 88, one for each strapassembly 98. However, the number of strap assembly frames 88 is notcritical, and the strap positioning assembly 28 may include as manystrap assembly frames as necessary to support the number of strapassemblies 98. The frame 88 includes an upper cross beam 100 having anupper collar 94 which attaches the frame to an upper register tube 90.The upper register tube 90 is coaxial with and slidable along the upperpositioning rail 78. The frame may further include a lower collar 96(FIG. 2) which attaches the frame to a lower register tube 92 and whichis coaxial with and slidable along the lower positioning rail 80. Strapassemblies 98 may be secured to each strap assembly frame 88 and eachstrap assembly is adapted to house and provide a strap of sufficientlength to the return chute assembly 30 for strapping the bale. A lateralpneumatic cylinder 93 (FIG. 2) may be provided to register (i.e.,laterally move) the strap assembly frame 88 between a first registerposition wherein each strap assembly 98 is aligned with first lower andupper guide channels 20, 22 and a second register position wherein eachstrap assembly is aligned with second, different lower and upper, guidechannels.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the strap positioning assembly 28 mayfurther include a shock absorber 170 which serves to locate the strappositioning assembly with respect to the upper and lower plateassemblies 32, 34 and reduces the likelihood of the strap positioningassembly 28 being damaged by over rotation and impact with the plateassemblies. More specifically, the shock absorber 170 dictates thedistance between the strap positioning assembly 28 and a bale when thestrap positioning assembly moves into the used position, as described inmore detail below.

The shock absorber 170 may include two substantially identical mountingbrackets 172 (FIG. 2) adapted to mount the shock absorber to the upperregister tube 90. Accordingly, the shock absorber 170 moves laterally inconjunction with the upper register tube 90, as further described below.A frame 174 may be attached to and protrude from between the mountingbrackets 172 in a direction generally perpendicular to the support arms68. A fork 176 may by rotatably attached to an end of the frame 174opposite an end attached to the mounting brackets 172. The fork 176 maybe attached to the frame 174 by a pivot pin 184 and adapted to house awheel 178. The wheel 178, which includes a rim 180 and a tire 186, maybe rotatably attached to the fork 176 by an axle 177. In one exemplaryembodiment, the tire 186 may be made of a relatively soft material, suchas rubber, which provides shock absorption when the tire contacts arelatively rigid surface, such as the upper plate assembly 34. Apneumatic cylinder 182 may be located below the frame 174 and attachedto the mounting bracket 172 and the fork 176 to absorb some of theimpact of the strap positioning assembly 28 with the upper plateassembly 34. In an alternative embodiment, rather than incorporating ashock absorber, a simple bumper, a leaf spring, a lever, a coiledspring, or other physical stop member is incorporated for locating thestrap positioning assembly 28 against components of the baling press orthe compressed cotton in moving the strap positioning assembly to itsused position. Although not shown, the return chute assembly 30 maysimilarly be equipped with a shock absorber or the alternative positionlocator, such as a bumper, leaf spring, coiled spring, or other physicalstop member. An exemplary simple bumper may be a resilient rubber block.This will allow the strap assembly and the return chute assembly to moveto their respective used position prior to completing the compressionprocess, which in turn decreases the lag time between exposing thecompressed bale and strapping the bale.

The return chute assembly 30 will now be described with respect to FIGS.7 and 8. The return chute assembly 30 may be adapted to work inconjunction with the strap positioning assembly 28 to strap bales, aswill be described in greater detail below. A return chute mountingassembly 102 may be mounted to an opposite side of the baling press 12from the strap positioning assembly 28 (the receiving side) and servesto support the return chute assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, thereturn chute mounting assembly 102 is adapted to permit the return chuteassembly 30 to move laterally along the baling press 12 as described inmore detail below. The return chute mounting assembly 102 includes atrack 106 mounted on a plurality of legs 104, which act as spacers toprovide appropriate gap or spacing for the track from the baling press12. The height of the legs should be sufficient to provide enoughclearance to prevent the return chute assembly 30 from interfering withthe overhanging turntable base plate 18. The return chute assembly 30will be indexed along the track 106 by a pneumatic cylinder 150 attachedto the return chute assembly 30 at mount point 152. The cylinder 150comprises a rod 146, which is mounted to a bracket 148. The cylinder 150may incorporate a 36-96 inch stroke or may incorporate two or moreseparate cylinders with a combined stroke length sufficient to index thereturn chute assembly along the track 106. In the present embodiment,the indexing mechanism allows the return chute assembly 30 to traversealong the track 106 to work in combination with a motorized cart, i.e.,to make room, for hauling strapped bales from the press machine.

A chassis 108 may be mounted to the track 106, the chassis being adaptedto move along the track. In one exemplary embodiment, the chassis 108has wheels 110 attached thereto, which are adapted to contact a frontside and a rear side of the track 106 to allow the chassis to move alongthe track.

A base 112 may be attached to the chassis 108 to serve as support forthe return chute assembly 30. In one exemplary embodiment, the base 112is substantially rectangular and may have notches 154 to facilitateroller assembly and disassembly. Primary brackets 114 may be mounted tothe base 114 and adapted to accommodate the return chute assembly 30that is rotatably mounted thereto by a first pivot pin 120. In oneexemplary embodiment, the primary brackets 114 may be substantiallyL-shaped in configuration and may be located on opposite lateral edgesof the base 112. However, the specific number and location of theprimary brackets 114 is not critical. Additionally, secondary brackets116 may be aligned with and spaced apart from respective primarybrackets 114 to receive a second pivot pin 122. A support rod 118 mayextend between the secondary brackets 116 to provide torsional supportwhen the return chute assembly 30 moves between a stowed position and aused position, as described in more detail below.

The return chute assembly 30 will now be described in more detail (FIGS.7-10). Similar to the strap positioning assembly 28, since each side ofthe return chute assembly 30 has a substantially identical structure,for clarity only one of the sides of the return chute assembly will bedescribed in detail below.

A rotation structure 128 of the return chute assembly 30 includes afirst pneumatic cylinder 124 rotatably attached to the primary bracket114 by the first pivot pin 120. A push rod 156 in each of the firstpneumatic cylinder 124 and second pneumatic cylinder 126 are configuredto move the two cylinders relative to one another to maintain a spacedapart connection between the two to thereby move the strap positioningassembly from between a stowed position to a used position, as describedin more detail below. In one exemplary embodiment, the second pneumaticcylinder 126 may be attached to a support arm 130 by a bolt 158. Thesupport arm 130 may extend between the second pneumatic cylinder 126 andthe base 112 and may be rotatably mounted to the secondary bracket 116on the base by a second pivot pin 122. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 7, the support arm 130 may have a concave section 144 whichprevents the support arm from contacting the turntable base plate 18when the return chute assembly 30 is in the used position as describedin more detail below.

Upper and lower mounting rails 132, 134 may extend between the supportarms 130 on each side of the return chute assembly. The support arms 130may include recessed rail housings 160 adapted to receive the upper andlower mounting rails 132, 134, the mounting rails being attached to thesupport arms 130 by bolts 162.

The return chute 136 may be mounted on the return chute assembly 30 andadapted to redirect an end of a strap delivered by the strap positioningassembly 28 through the upper guide channel 34 towards the lower guidechannel 32 where the ends of the strap will be attached together. In oneexemplary embodiment, each return chute 136 may include a body 140,which includes a head 138 extending from a first end of the body and atail 142 extending from a second end of the body, adapted to be mountedto the upper and lower mounting rails 132, 134. The return chute 136 maybe an integrally formed component or may be separate components attachedtogether by, for example, welding, rivets or other fastening means.

The body 140 may include a hollow channel section 164 and a fin section166 attached to the channel section 164, which has an open channel forallowing release of the strap. The fin section comprises a plurality ofspaced apart holes 168 to allow the fin section to be attached to theupper and lower mounting rails 132, 134. As will be described in moredetail below, the body may be generally vertical when the return chuteassembly 30 is in the used position. The head 138 may include arelatively wide opening 220 (FIG. 11) adapted to receive a strap fromthe strap positioning assembly 28 and may narrowingly taper towards thechannel section 164 of the body 140. In one exemplary embodiment, thehead 138 may be angled such that the opening 220 is relatively close tothe upper guide channel 22 when the return chute assembly is in the usedposition and such that a strap end will be redirected to the tail 142.For example, the head may be angled between about 20 to 70 degrees, morepreferably 30 to 60 degrees, from the vertical and the opening 220 maybe between about 0.5 to 4 inches, more preferably one to two inches,from the upper guide channel 22 when the return chute assembly 30 is ina used position. The tail 142 may extend from the channel section 164and in one exemplary embodiment, may generally arc toward a lower guidechannel 20 when the return chute assembly 30 is in the used positionsuch that the tail is able to direct a strap end into the lower guidechannel 32. The tail 142 may be oriented such that the opening isrelatively close to a lower guide channel 20 when the return chuteassembly 30 is in the used position. In one exemplary embodiment, thetail may be between about 0.5 to 3 inches, more preferably one to twoinches, from the lower guide channel 20 when the return chute assembly30 is in the used position.

In one exemplary embodiment, the return chute assembly 30 includes sixreturn chutes 136. However, the specific number of return chutes is notcritical and may depend on the number of strap assemblies 98incorporated in the strap positioning assembly 28. The return chutes 136may be mounted on the upper and lower mounting rails 132, 134 such thatthe head 138 of the return chute is generally aligned with the upperguide channel 22 and the tail 142 is generally aligned with the lowerguide channel 20 when the return chute assembly 30 is in the usedposition, as described in more detail below.

Another exemplary embodiment of a return chute assembly 200 is shownwith reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. The return chute assembly 200 issimilar to the return chute assembly 30 of FIGS. 7-10 and, as such, onlythe differences between the two return chute assemblies will behighlighted. The return chute assembly 200 is adapted to operate inconjunction with a bale conveyor 188 as described in more detail below.As shown in FIG. 12, the return chute assembly 200 may be mounted on amounting base that is statically attached to the baling press so thatthe track 106 and other accompanying components, which provide theability for the return chute assembly 30 to move laterally, are notnecessary.

As shown in FIG. 11, exterior return chutes 216 are mounted to supportarms 130 by upper and lower exterior mounting rails 202, 204.Additionally, interior support arms 206 are provided to support theinterior return chutes 218. More specifically, the interior support arms206 are substantially identical to outer support arms 130. The interiorsupport arms 206 are adapted to be mounted on the support rod 118 and onfirst and second support arm rails 212, 214, all of which extendlaterally across the width of the return chute assembly 200 between thesupport arms 130. Upper and lower interior mounting rails 208, 210 aremounted on the interior support arms 206 and support interior returnchutes 218 mounted thereto.

In this configuration, a space is created between each exterior returnchute 216 and the respective adjacent interior return chute 218 suchthat no lateral support structure extends between the exterior andinterior return chutes 216, 218. Accordingly, when the return chuteassembly 200 is moved between a used position and a stowed position, asdescribed in more detail below, the return chute assembly does not haveto move laterally to avoid interfering with the bale conveyor 188. Inone exemplary embodiment, the return chute assembly includes twoexterior return chutes 216, four interior return chutes 218, and a spacecreated between the exterior and interior return chutes. However, thespecific number of return chutes is not critical and the return chuteassembly 200 may contain as many return chutes as are necessary.Additionally, a space may be created between any of the return chutes toaccommodate the bale conveyor 188.

The return chute assembly 200 may be used with the return chute mountingassembly 102 which allow for lateral movement of the return chuteassembly, or in an alternate exemplary embodiment, the return chuteassembly may be mounted to the baling press 12 by legs and a stationarymounting base similar to the mounting assembly 50 of the strappositioning assembly 28.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the bale conveyor 188 is provided to transporta bale 25 from the baling press 12 to a shipping means (not shown). Thebale conveyor 188 is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the returnchute assembly 200 so as not to interfere with operation of the returnchute assembly 200 and so as not to require the return chute assembly tomove laterally when a strapped bale 25 (FIG. 15) is transported from thebaling press 12 to the bale conveyor 188.

In one exemplary embodiment, the bale conveyor 188 includes a frame 190mounted on a plurality of legs 192. Two substantially identical rails194 may be attached to the frame 190 and spaced apart from one another.Each rail is adapted to provide support for a belt 196 on which the bale25 will be transported. Alternatively, a chain link or other loopedstructure may be used in stead of a belt. Gears 198 attached to thebelts 196 move the belts when the gears are rotated by a motor, othergears, and/or a pulley system (not shown). Since the belts 196 form acontinuous loop around the gears, the belts 196 will move as long as thegears 198 are rotated. The specific length of the rails is not critical,but the rails should be of a sufficient length to transport a bale fromthe bale strapping device 10 to a further transportation system. Theconveyor system 188 is configured to replace a motorized platform orcart in a typical down-packer system for moving strapped bales. Thisimprovement is made possible by the novel strapping system, whichincorporates provisions for enabling the turntable base plate 28 torotate in a two baling chamber system. In contrast to prior art systems,a motorized platform was required to traverse in and out to provideclearance for the moving turntable base plate. The motorized platformwas not able to traverse into position until strapping was fullycompleted, adding to press cycle time.

Exemplary embodiments of the operation of the bale strapping device 10will now be described. As noted above, the baling press 12 includesfirst and second baling chambers 14, 16. Cotton lint or other fibers areplaced in the first baling chamber 14. Simultaneously, the compressiblematerial in the second baling chamber 16 will be pressed into a bale andthen strapped by the bale strapping device 10 and transported away fromthe baling press 12. Once the bale has been removed from the balingpress 12, the turntable base plate 18 rotates such that the compressiblematerial in the first baling chamber 14 is pressed and then strappedwhile cotton lint in the second baling chamber 16 is loaded.

The bale strapping device 10 may be positioned adjacent the balingchamber containing the bale (as opposed to the chamber containing thefiber or lint to be pressed). As discussed above, the bale strappingdevice 10 may include the strap positioning assembly 28 and the returnchute assembly 30. Each of the strap positioning assembly 28 and thereturn chute assembly 30 has a used position, in which the assembliesoperate to strap a bale, and a stowed position, in which the assembliesare positioned to permit operation of other components, such as rotationof the baling press 12 and transportation of a bale by the bale conveyor188, or other means, such as a motorized cart, without interfering withthe operation of such components.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the strap positioning assembly 28 isshown in the stowed position. In the stowed position, all of thecomponents of the strap positioning assembly 28 are positioned or arerotated to be below a plane defined by the turntable base plate 18 sothat when the turntable base plate rotates, the strap positioningassembly does not make contact or otherwise interfere with the turntablebase plate. In other words, the strap positioning assembly 28, thereturn chute assembly 30, and components for supporting and operatingthe same are configured to retract from between a used position and astowed position to enable rotation of the turntable base plate. Morespecifically, in one exemplary embodiment, when the strap positioningassembly is in the stowed position, the piston or push rods of the firstand second pneumatic cylinders 62, 64 retract within their respectivehousings and are relatively close together and substantially parallel tothe ground. Additionally, in the stowed position, the support arms 68may be slightly angled toward the first and second pneumatic cylinders62, 64. In this position, the strap assembly frame 88 and strapassemblies 98 may also be positioned below the plane of the turntablebase plate 18.

The strap positioning assembly may be transferable between the stowedposition and the used position (FIG. 6). In the used position, the strapposition assembly 28 may be positioned to provide straps to the returnchute assembly 30 to strap a bale in the baling press 12. As shown inFIG. 6, in one exemplary embodiment, when the strap positioning assemblyis in the used position, the first and second pneumatic cylinders 62, 64on both sides may be substantially perpendicular to the ground and arespaced apart by a greater distance than in the stowed position,separated by the push rod 66 of each respective pneumatic cylinder 62and 64. Additionally, in the used position, the support arms 68 may begenerally perpendicular to the ground.

To transfer the strap positioning assembly 28 between the stowedposition and the used position, the first pneumatic cylinders 62 applypressure to extend its push rod 66 and separate the second pneumaticcylinder 64 from the first pneumatic cylinder. Due to the position ofthe support arms 68 with respect the pneumatic cylinders 62, 64, theextension of the push rod 66 and the resulting separation of thepneumatic cylinders causes the support arms to rotate about the secondpivot pin 74 and the first pneumatic cylinders 62 to rotate about thefirst pivot pin 60. This rotates the strap positioning assembly from aposition substantially parallel to the ground (FIG. 1) to some positionnot quite vertical, which is determined by the length of the push rod.To move the strap positioning assembly 28 to a vertical position (FIG.6), the other cylinder 64 is actuated so that its push rod 66 extends tofurther separate the distance between the two cylinders. Accordingly,the strap positioning assembly is rotated from being substantiallyparallel to the ground (FIG. 1) to being substantially perpendicular tothe ground (FIG. 6) after the two cylinders are actuated.

Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, each pair of pneumatic cylinders 62,64 may be used to extend and maintain the strap positioning assembly 28about halfway between the stowed position and the used position. Forexample, the first pair of pneumatic cylinders 62, 64 may extend andmaintain the strap positioning assembly 28 between the stowed positionto an intermediate position (FIG. 2). Then, the second pair of pneumaticcylinders 62, 64 may extend the strap positioning assembly 28 from theintermediate position to the used position. The use of an intermediateposition allows the strap positioning assembly 28 and the return chuteassembly 30 to move closer to their respective strapping position priorto exposing the pressed bale for strapping. This in turn reduces the lagtime between exposing the pressed bale and strapping the pressed bale.

In one exemplary embodiment, to transfer the strap positioning assembly28 from the used position to the stowed position, the pneumaticcylinders 62, 64 may apply pressure to recess the push rods 66 withinthe pneumatic cylinders, thereby reducing the distance between thepneumatic cylinders. Accordingly, as the distance between the pneumaticcylinders 62, 64 is reduced, the support arms 68 will rotate about thesecond pivot pins 74 and the first pneumatic cylinders will rotate aboutthe first pivot pins 60 to move the strap positioning assembly for beinggenerally perpendicular to the ground to being generally parallel to theground.

In another exemplary embodiment, each pair of pneumatic cylinders 62, 64may be used to position and maintain the strap positioning assembly 28about halfway between the used position and the stowed position. Forexample, the first pair of pneumatic cylinders 62, 64 may transfer andmaintain the strap positioning assembly 28 between the used position toan intermediate position (FIG. 2). Then, the second pair of pneumaticcylinders 62, 64 may transfer the strap positioning assembly 28 from theintermediate position to the stowed position.

The return chute assembly 200 may be transferred between a used position(FIG. 7) and a stowed position (FIG. 14) in substantially the same wayas the strap positioning assembly 28. More specifically, the first andsecond pneumatic cylinders 124, 126 apply pressure to the push rods 156to adjust the distance between the cylinders and rotate the return chuteassembly 200 around the first and second pivot pins 120, 122. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the return chute assembly 200 may be rotated toand maintained in an intermediate position (FIG. 8) between the usedposition and the stowed position.

An exemplary sequence of strapping a bale using a bale strapping device10 of the present invention will now be described. The sequence will bedescribed first with respect to the strap position assembly 28 and thenwith respect to the return chute assembly 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the strap position assembly 28 may be in the stowedposition and aligned with the second baling chamber 16 of the balingpress 12. The second baling chamber 16 is shown in a closed positionwherein the second baling chamber makes contact with the turntable baseplate 18, or alternatively in close proximity thereto. While the secondbaling chamber 16 is in the closed position, the strap position assemblymay be rotated into an intermediate position (FIG. 2) by operation ofthe pneumatic cylinders 62, 64 as noted above. The second baling chamber16 may then move into an open position (FIG. 3) to expose the bale 25.As the second baling chamber 16 is moved from a closed position to anopen position, the upper plate assembly 34 (FIG. 10) may be used totemporarily compress the bale 25. The bale is then further compressedafter the chamber 16 is removed to a strapping height and thensubsequently released to expand within the constraint of the straps.

Once the bale has been compressed, the strap positioning assembly 28 maybe rotated into its used position (FIG. 6) as described above. As shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, the shock absorber 170 cushions the impact of thestrap positioning assembly 28 as the shock absorber contacts the upperplate assembly 34. In the used position, the strap positioning assembly28 aligns each strap assembly 98 with a lower and upper guide channel20, 22 to enable the strap assembly to deliver a strap through the guidechannels. In one exemplary embodiment, the strap positioning assembly 28contains three strap assemblies 98, and for a baling press having sixlower and upper guide channels 20, 22, the three strap assemblies may bealigned with alternating guide channels (i.e., the first, third, andfifth guide channels, or the second, fourth and sixth guide channels).In the used position, each strap assembly 98 delivers a strap and, inconjunction with the return chute assembly 30, friction welds the straparound the bale 25.

In an alternative embodiment, the strap positioning assembly 28 isrotated to its used position (FIG. 5) prior to fully compressing thebale and after the chamber 16 has been lifted. Thus, while the bale isstill being pressed to a desired compression, the strap positioningassembly 28 is moved to its used position. This is made possible by thecombination shock absorber system 170, which includes the wheel 178 andpneumatic cylinder 182. By moving the strap positioning assembly 28 toits used position prior to completing the pressed cycle, the lag timebetween compressing the bale and strapping the bale is further reduced.This in turn allows the baling system to process more bales per day.

After providing the first three straps, the strap positioning assembly28 may again be rotated into an intermediate position and the lateralpneumatic cylinder 93 may be operated to register the strap positioningassembly 28 from a first register position aligned with a first set oflower and upper guide channels 20, 22 to a second register positionaligned with a second set of lower and upper guide channels. The strapposition assembly 28 may again be rotated into the used position todeliver and strap three more straps around the bale 25. As is readilyapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, if the strappositioning assembly 28 incorporates six strap assemblies 98, then asingle welding motion is all that is necessary to strap the compressedbale with six straps without having to reposition the strap positioningassembly 28 for a second strap sequence.

After the strap positioning assembly 28 has delivered the second set ofstraps, the pneumatic cylinder may be operated to return the strappositioning assembly to the first register position. Then, the strappositioning assembly may be rotated into the stowed position as theupper plate assembly 34 is lifted to allow the bale 25 to decompresssuch that the straps provide a compressive force to the bale. Once thebale has been strapped and allowed to decompress, the ejection lever 33is operated to tip the bale from the baling chamber onto a transport,such as the bale conveyor 188 (FIG. 15). The transport serves to movethe bale 25 away from the baling press 12 where the bale will then awaitfurther transportation to its next destination. With the strappositioning assembly 28 in the stowed position (FIG. 1), the secondbaling chamber may be lowered into the closed position and the turntablebase plate 18 may be rotated to switch the positions of the first andsecond baling chambers 14, 16 such that the strap positioning assemblyis now generally aligned with the first baling chamber 14. Accordingly,the above-described process may be repeated with respect to the bale inthe first baling chamber 14, and may continue indefinitely as long ascotton lint is fed into the baling press 12. In some applications, itmay not be necessary to move the strap positioning assembly and/or thereturn chute assembly from the used position to an intermediate positionprior to indexing the same for the next set of straps. For example, itis possible to index to the next position while the two assemblies arein their respective used position.

A sequential strapping operation with respect to the return chuteassembly 30 will now be described. With reference to FIG. 7, the returnchute assembly 30 is located on an opposite side of the baling press 12from the strap positioning assembly 28. The return chute assembly 30 maybe rotated into the used position after the second baling chamber 16 islifted to expose the bale 25. In the used position, each return chute136 may be aligned with a lower and upper guide channel 20, 22 so as tobe able to redirect a strap delivered by the corresponding strapassembly 98 through the upper guide channel 22 and into the lower guidechannel 20. Accordingly, the return chute assembly 30 may remain in theused position until the strap positioning assembly 28 delivers strapsthrough all six upper guide channels 22.

Once the strapping process has been completed, the return chute assemblymay be rotated into an intermediate position (FIG. 8) and may be movedlaterally along the track 106 until it is generally adjacent the firstbaling chamber 14 (FIG. 9), at which time or during lateral movement itmay be rotated into the stowed position. After the return chute assembly30 has been moved laterally away from the second baling chamber 16, atransport device, such as a cart (not shown), may be placed adjacent thebale 25. The ejection lever 33 may then be operated to tip the bale ontothe transport device.

With the return chute assembly 30 in the stowed position, the secondbaling chamber 16 may be moved into the closed position and theturntable base plate 18 may be rotated to switch the positions of thefirst and second baling chambers 14, 16, as described above.

In another exemplary embodiment, the bale strapping device 10 includesthe return chute assembly 200 which operates in a substantially similarmanner to the return chute assembly 30 of FIGS. 7-10. However, after thebale 25 has been strapped and prepared for transport, the configurationof the return chute assembly 200 may be moved directly from the usedposition to the stowed position without having to be moved laterally.More specifically, as described above, the return chute assembly 200 hasa spaced apart configuration which allows a transport device, such as abale conveyor 188 (FIG. 14) to remain adjacent to the baling press 12despite the presence of the return chute assembly. Time may be savedusing the return chute assembly 200 since the return chute assembly andthe transport device do not have to be moved to accommodate each other.

In an alternative embodiment, after the bale has been strapped, thereturn chute assembly 200 is then moved to its intermediate position.When the strapped bale is subsequently tipped, it tips against thereturn chute assembly 200, which then slowly lowers the strapped baleonto the conveyor system as the return chute assembly 200 moves to itstowed position. This effectively eliminates any impact the strappedbale may cause to the conveyor system if not for the return chuteassembly 200 controlling the landing of the strapped bale

Although exemplary embodiments of a bale strapping device and method forstrapping a bale have been described, it will be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made to such devicesand methods while still remaining within the scope of the appendedclaims. For example, although an exemplary embodiment bale strappingdevice of the present invention includes three strap assemblies mountedon the strap positioning assembly and six return chutes mounted on thereturn chute assembly, the bale strapping device may be modified toinclude a variety of strap assemblies and return chutes to provide theappropriate number of necessary straps. Further modifications includeincorporating a shock absorber or position locator, such as a bumper, onboth the strap positioning assembly 28 and the return chute assembly 30so that the both assemblies may move into contact, i.e., used position,with either components of the bale system or the compressed lint whilethe lint still undergoes final compression just prior to the strappingsequence. As previously discussed, this further reduces lag time frombetween exposing the compressed bale and actually strapping the bale.

1. A combination strap assembly and baling press comprising: a base plate for pressing pressable materials against, said base plate defining a plane, a strap positioning assembly comprising a plurality of strap assemblies for providing straps around the pressable materials; a return chute assembly comprising a plurality of return chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the plurality of strap assemblies; and a structure comprising a moveable arm for moving the plurality of strap assemblies from a position substantially below the plane defined by the base plate to a position above, at least in part, the plane.
 2. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 1, wherein the strap positioning assembly further comprises a shock absorber for cushioning the strap positioning assembly as the strap position assembly contacts the bailing press.
 3. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 2, wherein the shock absorber comprises a resilient stop member.
 4. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 3, wherein the resilient stop member comprises a rubber tire.
 5. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 2, wherein the shock absorber comprises a pneumatic cylinder.
 6. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 1, further comprising a pair of pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rod for moving the moveable arm.
 7. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 6, wherein the two push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders are mechanically coupled to one another.
 8. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 6, further comprising an indexing pneumatic cylinder comprising a push rod, wherein the push rod of the indexing pneumatic cylinder is orientated to move in a direction generally orthogonal to the two push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders.
 9. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 1, wherein the baling press comprises a press base and wherein the strap positioning assembly and the return chute assembly are both connected to the press base.
 10. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 9, wherein the return chute assembly is mounted on a track and the track is mounted to the press base.
 11. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 10, further comprising an indexing pneumatic cylinder in communication with the return chute assembly for traversing the return chute assembly along the track.
 12. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 1, further comprising a bale conveyor assembly for moving a strapped bale from the baling press.
 13. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 12, wherein the bale conveyor assembly comprises two spaced apart rails.
 14. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of return chutes is movable between the two spaced apart rails in moving from a position below the plane defined by the base plate to a position, at least partially, above the plane.
 15. A combination strap assembly and baling press comprising: a base plate rotatably mounted below two baling chambers, said base plate defining a plane; a strap positioning assembly comprising a plurality of strap assemblies for providing straps around a pressed bale; a return chute assembly comprising a plurality of return chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the strap assemblies; and wherein the strap positioning assembly and the return chute assembly are positioned below the plane defined by the base plate so that the base plate may rotate over the strap positioning assembly and the return chute assembly.
 16. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 15, further comprising a pair of pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rod for moving the strap positioning assembly.
 17. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 16, further comprising an indexing pneumatic cylinder comprising a push rod, wherein the push rod of the indexing pneumatic cylinder is adapted to move generally perpendicularly to the push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders.
 18. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 15, wherein the strap positioning assembly further comprises at least one register tube and at least one positioning rail, and wherein the at least one register tube is coaxial with and adapted to slide telescopically with respect to the at least one positioning rail.
 19. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 18, further comprising two register tubes and two positioning rails, wherein each register tube is coaxial with and adapted to slide telescopically with respect to a respective positioning rail.
 20. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 15, further comprising a pair of pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rod for moving the return chute assembly.
 21. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 20, further comprising an indexing pneumatic cylinder comprising a push rod, wherein the push rod of the indexing pneumatic cylinder is adapted to move generally perpendicularly to the push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders.
 22. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 15, wherein the strap assembly further comprises a shock absorber for cushioning the strap positioning assembly as the strap positioning assembly contacts the baling press.
 23. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 22, wherein the shock absorber comprises a spring.
 24. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 15, wherein each return chute comprises a hollow body having a slot, the slot adapted to allow a strap to pass therethrough.
 25. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 15, further comprising a bale conveyor assembly for transporting a strapped bale from the baling press.
 26. The combination strap assembly and baling press of claim 25, wherein the bale conveyor comprises two spaced rails.
 27. A strap assembly mountable on a baling press having a base plate defining a plane, the strap assembly comprising: a strap positioning assembly having a plurality of strap assemblies for providing straps around the pressable materials; a return chute assembly having a plurality of return chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the plurality of strap assemblies; at least two pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rod in communication with each other for moving the plurality of strap assemblies about a pivot point; and wherein the two push rods are coaxial.
 28. The strap assembly of claim 27, wherein the strap positioning assembly further comprises a shock absorber for cushioning the strap positioning assembly as the strap positioning assembly contacts the baling press.
 29. The strap assembly of claim 28, wherein the shock absorber comprises a resilient stop member.
 30. The strap assembly of claim 29, wherein the resilient stop member comprises a rubber tire.
 31. The strap assembly of claim 28, wherein the shock absorber comprises a pneumatic cylinder.
 32. The strap assembly of claim 27, wherein the two push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders are mechanically coupled to one another.
 33. The strap assembly of claim 32, further comprising an indexing pneumatic cylinder comprising a push rod, wherein the push rod of the indexing pneumatic cylinder is orientated to move in a direction generally orthogonal to the two push rods of the pair of pneumatic cylinders.
 34. The strap assembly of claim 27, further comprising a bale conveyor assembly for moving a strapped bale from the strapping assembly.
 35. The strap assembly of claim 34, wherein the bale conveyor assembly comprises two spaced rails.
 36. The strap assembly of claim 35, wherein at least one of the plurality of return chutes is movable between the two spaced rails.
 37. The strap assembly of claim 27, further comprising two pairs of pneumatic cylinders, wherein each pair of pneumatic cylinders comprises a push rod in each pneumatic cylinder, the push rods of each pair of pneumatic cylinders in communication with each other for moving the plurality of strap assemblies about a pivot point.
 38. A method for strapping compressible material comprising: compressing a plurality of compressible materials against a plate, said plate defining a plane; exposing the compressed materials for strapping; raising a plurality of strap assemblies from a position below the plane defined by the plate; providing a plurality of straps around the compressed materials to strap the compressed materials; and lowering the plurality of strap assemblies to the position below the plane defined by the plate.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the plurality of strap assemblies are raised and lowered by a rotational structure comprising at least one moveable arm.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the rotational structure further comprises at least two pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rod in communication with each other for moving the plurality of strap assemblies about a pivot point.
 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising two pairs of pneumatic cylinders, wherein each pair of pneumatic cylinders comprises a push rod in each pneumatic cylinder, the push rods of each pair of pneumatic cylinders in communication with each other for moving the plurality of strap assemblies about a pivot point.
 42. The method of claim 38, further comprising: locating a plurality of return chutes above the plane defined by the plate to redirect straps supplied by the plurality of strap assemblies; lowering the plurality of return chutes below the plane defined by the plate after the compressed materials have been strapped.
 43. The method of claim 42, further comprising transporting the compressed material away from the plurality of strap assemblies.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the compressed material is transported by a bale conveyor.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the bale conveyor comprises two spaced rails.
 46. The method of claim 38, further comprising: moving the plurality of strap assemblies laterally by a fixed distance; reraising the plurality of strap assemblies from a position below the plane defined by the plate; providing another plurality of strap around the compressed materials to strap the compressed material; and relowering the plurality of strap assemblies to the position below the plane defined by the plate.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the plurality of strap assemblies are moved laterally by a pneumatic cylinder comprising a push rod.
 48. A method for strapping compressible material comprising: compressing a plurality of compressible materials between a lower plate assembly and an upper plate assembly, said lower plate assembly defining a plane; exposing the compressed materials for strapping; raising a frame comprising a plurality of strap assemblies from a position below the plane defined by the lower plate assembly and contacting the frame against the upper plate assembly; providing a plurality of straps around the compressed materials to strap the compressed material; and lowering the plurality of strap assemblies to the position below the plane defined by the lower plate assembly.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the frame contacts the upper plate assembly while the upper plate assembly compresses downwardly on the compressible materials.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the frame further comprises a shock absorber for cushioning the frame as the frame contacts the upper plate assembly.
 51. The method of claim 48, further comprising transporting the strapped material away from the lower plate assembly.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the strapped material is transported away from the lower plate assembly by a bale conveyor.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the bale conveyor has a pair of spaced rails. 